The Crux of the Story
Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez
Hosted by one of the world's top communicators, currently SVP & Chief Communications Officer at Enbridge, the show tackles relevant and controversial topics in the field of communications that are shaping business, politics, and our lives.
Prominent guests from PR, journalism, business, and academia discuss how communications can inspire, persuade, deepen one’s understanding, or move an audience - or even a nation - to action.
Prominent guests from PR, journalism, business, and academia discuss how communications can inspire, persuade, deepen one’s understanding, or move an audience - or even a nation - to action.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 9, 2020 • 60min
The Crux - Dave Samson
In our thirtieth episode of The Crux, Mike and Gary welcome Dave Samson, general manager of public affairs at Chevron Corporation and future global vice chair of corporate affairs at Edelman. They discuss public trust, internal communications and marketing.
Feb 17, 2020 • 50min
The Crux - Charlene Wheeless
In our twenty-ninth episode of The Crux, we welcome Charlene Wheeless, former principal vice president of global corporate affairs of Bechtel Corporation. We discuss the Arthur Page Society’s 2020 agenda, an organization's purpose and prioritizing health.
Feb 10, 2020 • 51min
The Crux - Leslie Gaines-Ross
In our twenty-eighth episode, Gary and Mike welcome Leslie Gaines-Ross, chief reputation strategist at Weber Shandwick, to discuss trends of managing, maintaining and improving corporate reputation.
Jan 31, 2020 • 1h 1min
The Crux - Tobe Berkovitz
In our twenty-seventh episode, Gary and Mike interview Boston University professor and political media consultant Dr. Tobe Berkovitz. They discuss political communications strategies in the 2020 presidential primaries and look ahead to the 2020 general election.
Dec 15, 2019 • 1h 1min
The Crux - Mike O'Neill
In our twenty-sixth episode, Gary and Mike interview their good friend Mike O’Neill, chief corporate affairs officer at American Express. At the time this episode airs, Mike is set to retire in a few weeks, so they talked about his favorite memories working at AMEX and Small Business Saturday.
Nov 24, 2019 • 58min
The Crux - Sarah Sheffer and Will Fernandez
In our twenty-fifth episode, Gary and Mike have the special honor of interviewing their adult children, Sarah Sheffer and Will Fernandez, two Millennials who care about change and purpose in communications. Sarah is the senior communications officer at Refugees International, and Will is a WPP Fellow at Wunderman Thompson.
Nov 15, 2019 • 52min
The Crux - Pete Souza
In our twenty-fourth episode, Gary and Mike interview Boston University alum and former chief official White House photographer Pete Souza. They talk about Pete’s two books, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents and Obama: An Intimate Portrait, as well as how we became the White House photographer for two U.S. presidents.
Nov 8, 2019 • 1h 1min
The Crux - PRWeek Bellwether Survey
In our twenty-third episode, Gary and Mike are joined by Ray Kotcher, professor of practice at Boston University, Arunima Krishna, assistant professor at Boston University, and Steve Barrett, VP, editorial director PRWeek. They discuss the 2019 PRWeek Bellwether survey done in partnership with Boston University.
Oct 31, 2019 • 1h 7min
The Crux - Tammy Vigil
In our twenty-second episode, Gary and Mike interview Associate Professor at Boston University College of Communication, Tammy Vigil. They discuss the two books she published this year, Moms in Chief: The Rhetoric of Republican Motherhood and the Spouses of Presidential Nominees, 1992-2016 and Melania and Michelle: First Ladies in a New Era.
Oct 25, 2019 • 1h 12min
The Crux - Ethan McCarty
In our twenty-first episode, Gary and Mike interview Ethan McCarty, CEO of Integral Communications Group, to discuss the importance of internal communications.
